Decisions of COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee meeting 2-3
February 2012, Department of Labour, Emalahleni Municipality
INTRODUCTION
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Mpumalanga held a very
successful Provincial Executive Committee meeting on 2-3 February 2012
attended by the majority of affiliates and COSATU locals. The Provincial
Executive Committee meeting discussed amongst others the following:-
DEVELOPMENTS IN CUBA
The PEC discussed the development in Cuba and welcomed the convening of the
first national conference of the Communist Party of Cuba under the
leadership of President Raul Castro the brother of comrade Fidel Castro.
The PEC noted and acknowledged that Cuba has always been a beacon of hope
and the glue that held all peace-loving people and organisations across the
globe, that there is an alternative to the evil system of capitalism and
that a better world is possible.
ON THE MPUMALANGA MATRIC IMPROVED RESULTS
The PEC welcomed, appreciated and congratulated the matric class of 2011 for
their dedication, hard work and commitment for the improved Mpumalanga
matric pass rate from 56,8% in 2010 to 64,8% in 2011.
The PEC further congratulated and commended the teachers organised under the
South African Democratic Teacher Union (SADTU) for their tremendous work,
commitment and sacrifices to produce these substantial increase in the
Provincial pass rate.
The PEC however noted the disparities and structural inequalities that still
define and characterise our education system in the country and in the
province. After seventeen years of democracy the historically disadvantaged
schools are still characterised by overcrowding, lack of learning and
teaching materials and poor infrastructure, while the former model C schools
are well resourced.
The PEC vowed to collaborate and participate in all initiatives aimed at
further improving the quality of education in the province.
ON THE BOOING OF BOTH COSATU AND SACP LEADERS IN THE ANC PROVINCIAL GENERAL
COUNCIL MEETING
The PEC noted with disbelief and regret the howling and booing of both the
COSATU and SACP Provincial Secretaries during the ANC PGC held on 10-11
December 2011 at the Elijah Mango College of Education for speaking out
against corruption.
The PEC commended the COSATU Provincial Office Bearers in the manner they
have handled this matter.
ON THE ANC PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
The PEC received a comprehensive report on the developments regarding the
ANC Provincial Congress in Mpumalanga.
The PEC reaffirmed its position on this matter based on COSATU previous
decisions which are as follows:-
The PEC appreciated that it is correct for workers to always be vigilant
about the direction and posture of the ANC because the ANC is a disciplined
force of the left that is expected to always be biased to the working class
and the poor.
. To defend the ANC leadership elected at Polokwane and all the ANC
resolutions that emerged from Polokwane.
. To defend our glorious movement, the ANC from the New Tendency
whose agenda is self-enrichment through corruption, greed and crass
materialism.
. To strive for a leadership that will be committed to forge the
unity of the ANC in the Province.
. To strive for a leadership that will be committed to fight against
corruption in the Province.
. To strive for a leadership that will be committed to asserting the
hegemonic position of the working class as the primary motive force.
. To strive for a leadership that has a struggle record and are
politically experienced
The PEC further appreciated:
. The cohesion among progressive structures in the province on this
matter.
. The collaboration and possible merger of the two progressive
groupings within the ANC in the province on this matter
. The confidence and respect COSATU commands among the progressive
structures in the province.
Guided by the COSATU principles the PEC further mandated the COSATU POBs to
engage with the following structures and emerge with a leadership collective
that will be accommodative to the working class and the poor:
. All those who support the Polokwane agenda and its leadership
. All progressive structures in the province.
. All coalitions that are prepared to work with COSATU as the
advanced detachment of the working class.
N.B. COSATU in the province will always maintain its status of being the
moral compass and a fearless spokesperson of the most downtrodden.
ON THE COSATU PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
The PEC reaffirmed its previous decision to hold the Provincial Congress on
19-20 July 2012 at the TUT eMalahleni Campus.
The PEC endorsed 28 February 2012 as the deadline for all affiliates to
confirm their membership for congress credentials.
The PEC further endorsed the following structural meetings to prepare for
congress.
i. COSATU staff to meet on weekly basis and deal with all
logistical arrangements for congress.
ii. COSATU Provincial Secretariat forum meeting to meet on
monthly basis and deal with all administrative issues regarding the
congress.
iii. The COSATU POB's to meet at least once a month and deal with
all political management of congress.
ON THE STATE INFORMATION BILL
The PEC decided to mobilise COSATU members in large numbers to attend the
Public Hearings conducted by the National Council of Provinces on 23
February 2012.
The PEC mandated the POB's to lead COSATU presentations in these public
hearings and defend the COSATU position on this matter.
ON THE PROVINCIAL SHOP STEWARD COUNCIL MEETING
The PEC encouraged all affiliates to mobilise their members to attend the
Provincial Shopsteward Council meeting in large numbers to be held as
follows:-
Date : 8 February 2012
Venue: Sasol Club, Embalenhle
ON THE NATIONAL STRIKE AGAINST LABOUR BROKERS
The PEC received a comprehensive report on the state of readiness regarding
the National strike on 7 March 2012.
The PEC then resolved to hold two protest marches at the Emalahleni
municipality and the other at the Mbombela Municipality.
ON THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
The PEC noted with regret the reports of corruption in the province.
The PEC noted that corruption is slowly destroying the moral fibre of our
society.
The PEC believes that corruption steels from the poor.
The PEC appreciated the collaboration between COSATU and the SACP in the
Province in fighting against corruption.
The PEC then decided that a protest march against corruption be held on 7
March 2012 at the Mbombela municipality to deliver a memorandum to the
Premier of the provinces.
ON MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS
The PEC welcomed the idea of celebrating the May month as part of the ANC
Centenary celebrations.
The PEC endorsed two May Day celebrations in the province at Embalenhle
stadium at the Govan Mbeki Municipality and Thulamashe stadium at the
Bushbuckridge municipality.
ON SOLIDARITY WITH SWAZILAND
The PEC reaffirmed the COSATU position in support of the people of Swaziland
in their struggle for democracy in Swaziland.
The PEC then decided to:-
. Convene a Provincial Tribunal on Swaziland in March 2012.
. To blockade all the Swaziland border gates on the 12 April 2012 in
solidarity with the working class of Swaziland.
